Francis R. Ferry 1/30/1920 -12/12/2022

Francis R. Ferry, 102 of Auburn, CA entered into eternal rest peacefully on December 12, 2022. Francis, born January 30, 1920 second of six brothers and one sister born to George Victor Ferry and Natalie Agnes Ferry (née Hays) of Oxford, Nebraska. On 22 July 1943, Francis married Genevieve Darlene Wiley. During World War II, Francis was a Naval pilot flying SB2Cs with VB-82 squadron aboard the USS Bennington aircraft carrier. On 7 April 1945, while on patrol, the squadron spotted the largest battleship ever built, the Yamato. The Yamato had embarked from Japan for a suicide attack on Allied forces engaged in the Battle of Okinawa. Francis' Bombing Squadron 82 was the lead group on the first strike. Several dive bomber pilots, including Francis Ferry, were credited with direct hits that led to the sinking of the Yamato. Francis was awarded the Navy Cross, the highest medal awarded by the Navy for valor in combat. Other medals he earned were the Silver Star, two Distinguished Flying Crosses, and four Air Medals. Fran was a teacher and a school administrator at the high school level until he retired in 1982. To stay involved in the education field, he developed a program that brought career materials to schools. Genevieve helped with this program. Fran was sending out deliveries until he was around 95! Fran was preceded in death by Genevieve, his beloved wife of seventy-four years. Francis is survived by his three children, Richard Ferry (Lynn), Janet Fiedler (Ralph), and Dave Ferry (Missy). He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Natalie Ferry and four brothers, George Jr., Edward, Robert, and James and one sister, Marie. He is also survived by one brother, Guy. He is going to be missed terribly by his seven grandchildren, thirteen great grandchildren, and thirteen nieces and nephews who were all bright spots in his life. A Memorial Service will be held on 25 February 2023 at 11 a.m. at the Auburn Veterans Memorial Hall, 100 East Street, Auburn, CA 95603. An Interment with full military honors will be held on 21 July 2023 at 1 p.m. at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon, California.